Satire vs. Parody — What's the Difference?

Can target behaviors or ideologies.

Secondary critique effect.

Aims for social reform.

Focuses on specific works or styles.

A genre critiquing society with humor.

Primarily seeks to entertain.

Not necessarily imitative.

Utilizes mimicry and exaggeration.

Employs irony and exaggeration.

Imitates for comic effect.

Satire is a genre of the visual, literary, and performing arts, usually in the form of fiction and less frequently non-fiction, in which vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, with the intent of shaming individuals, corporations, government, or society itself into improvement. Although satire is usually meant to be humorous, its greater purpose is often constructive social criticism, using wit to draw attention to both particular and wider issues in society.

A parody, also called a spoof, a send-up, a take-off, a lampoon, a play on (something), or a caricature, is a creative work designed to imitate, comment on, and/or make fun of its subject by means of satiric or ironic imitation. Often its subject is an original work or some aspect of it — theme/content, author, style, etc.

A literary work in which human foolishness or vice is attacked through irony, derision, or wit.

A literary or artistic work that uses imitation, as of the characteristic style of an author or a work, for comic effect or ridicule.

The branch of literature constituting such works.

A genre, as in literature, comprising such works.

Irony, sarcasm, or caustic wit used to attack or expose human foolishness or vice.

Something so bad as to be equivalent to intentional mockery; a travesty

(uncountable) A literary device of writing or art which principally ridicules its subject often as an intended means of provoking or preventing change or highlighting a shortcoming in the work of another. Humor, irony, and exaggeration are often used to aid this.

(Music) The practice of reworking an already established composition, especially the incorporation into the Mass of material borrowed from other works, such as motets or madrigals.

(countable) A satirical work.

To make a parody of.

Severity of remark.

A work or performance that imitates another work or performance with ridicule or irony.

A composition, generally poetical, holding up vice or folly to reprobation; a keen or severe exposure of what in public or private morals deserves rebuke; an invective poem; as, the Satires of Juvenal.

A popular maxim, adage, or proverb.

Keeness and severity of remark; caustic exposure to reprobation; trenchant wit; sarcasm.

To make a parody of something.

Witty language used to convey insults or scorn;

A writing in which the language or sentiment of an author is mimicked; especially, a kind of literary pleasantry, in which what is written on one subject is altered, and applied to another by way of burlesque; travesty.

A popular maxim, adage, or proverb.

To write a parody upon; to burlesque.

A composition that imitates somebody's style in a humorous way

Humorous or satirical mimicry

Make a spoof of or make fun of

Make a parody of;

Parody is a humorous imitation of a specific work, style, or artist, exaggerating it for comic effect.

Satire aims to critique and provoke thought or reform on societal issues, while parody aims to entertain by imitating and exaggerating its subject.

Satire is a technique used in literature and other media to mock or criticize societal issues through humor, irony, and exaggeration.

Yes, the effectiveness of parody often depends on the audience's ability to recognize and understand the original work being imitated.

Satire has the potential to influence public opinion and inspire societal change by highlighting flaws and absurdities in a thought-provoking manner.

A successful parody accurately captures and exaggerates the essence of its target in a way that is both recognizable and humorous to the audience.

While both are grounded in humor, satire's humor serves a critical purpose, whereas parody's primary goal is entertainment.

Yes, a work can be both if it imitates a specific style or genre for comic effect while also critiquing broader societal issues.

Creators use parody in films, literature, music, and art to offer comedic takes on popular works, genres, or styles, often highlighting their quirks or flaws.

Satire can sometimes be misunderstood or offend the target of its critique, leading to controversy or backlash.